Biggest hurdle to overcome in weight loss: Don't know yet...Ill come back to this

Following any specific plan: Nope

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the first time I am doing it for me.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I know most people here are female, I am a male. Also, this is my first post on 3FC! Lastly, I am using MyFitnessPal as a tracker for calories/exercise and was wondering if anyone who had would like to add each other as friends? No big deal, I', just big on accountability and think I would do better if I had someone else in the app that could track along with me.

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Keeping motivation to workout and staying away from sweets

Following any specific plan: Good ole fashioned low calorie, eating smaller meals more frequently, and exercise 4-5 times per week

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am in a contest to win $10,000 and to get healthy while doing it!

Anything else you would like to share with us: I got selected by Genghis Grill to lose weight, blog and get votes to win $10,000. I thought that joining some support groups would be a good idea to stay motivated even when the contest is over. Looking forward to getting to know you guys!

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: starting, inspiration, I dont know how to start and keep on going. I am ina depression.

Following any specific plan: Not yet

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I am reaching out for help, I understand now that I cannot do this alone and need support, i need help.

Anything else you would like to share with us: I find myself depressed often and i need to get out of the funk. I dont exactly know what to do or how to start this adventure, but its one i need to start. My goal is to lose 100 pounds in a year. I hope to lose about 3 pounds a week to start. I have a lot to lose and I believe this is possible, I just need help figuring out where to start and how to start. I would also like to have some weight loss buddies. People i can email, text, or chat with every day, or every other day, to keep each other in check, to support and encourage each other. I dont have this in real life, so I am hoping for it here.

Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: This time around I started in October of last year, October 12 to be exact. I have struggled with my weight my whole life and have constantly been on diets etc., etc.

Starting Weight: this time around: 239 lbs

Present Weight: 168 lbs

Goal Weight: 150 lbs

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Treating myself with love and respect.

First name: Mina
Geographical location: San Francisco Bay Area
Age: 29
Marital Status:Smitten
Children/Ages: I don’t want to have children.
Occupation: I’m an office worker in the social services field.
Pets: I don’t want to have pets either.
Hobbies/Interests: reading, writing, and illustrating
Height: 5’3”
Eye/Hair Color: Brown/Black
Starting Date of Weightloss Journey: 01/01/12
Starting Weight: 230
Present Weight: 215 as of 03/11/12 (refer to general 3FC profile and upcoming weight loss ticker in signature for updates)
Goal Weight: 125
Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: Sugar addiction
Following any specific plan? 1200 calorie, low fat raw vegan
What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: This is the first time in my life I've committed myself to a healthy lifestyle.
Anything else you would like to share with us: I’m a very private person. So, opening up on a touchy issue like my health, even on a relatively anonymous internet forum, is new to me. But I have been lurking here from time to time and realize that joining this supportive community would be a good thing for me.

Goal Weight: Short-term goal of 240, but long-term I'd like to be in the mid 100's. Just want to be healthy

Biggest hurdle to overcome in weightloss: I am an emotional eater and a carb addict. I also have a problem with portion control and being able to tell when I'm full.

Following any specific plan: A mix of everything really-low cal/reduced carbs/increased fruit, veggies, protein. Also keeping a food journal.

What is different this time in your weight loss efforts than in the past: I will hopefully be getting married soon and starting a family-I need to get healthier if not for me, for my future children. I've finally realized that I deserve to be happy I'm also not depriving myself of anything this time around because that always led to failure in the past